UK election: Keir Starmer becomes Britain's new PM

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has welcomed Labour's win, saying it bodes well for future relations between the UK and Germany, as well as the wider European Union.

"I am delighted about the election victory of the leader of our sister party in the UK," said Scholz, of the center-left Social Democrats.

"I know Keir Starmer personally, we have often met and talked. He will be a very good, very successful prime minister... I also have the impression that we won't have much trouble developing relations between Europe and the UK and between Germany and the UK."

 

Labour leader Keir Starmer has addressed the nation from 10 Downing Street, saying the politics can be "a force for good."

"Now our country has voted decisively for change, for national renewal and a return of politics to public service."

"When the gap between the sacrifices made by people and the service they receive from politicians grows this big it leads to a weariness in the heart of a nation. A draining away of the hope, the spirit, the belief, in a better future," adding: "We need to move forward together."

"This wound, this lack of trust, can only be healed by actions, not words. I know that. But we can make a start today with the simple acknowledgment that public service is a privilege and that your government should treat every single person in this country with respect."

"If you voted Labour yesterday, we will carry the responsibility of your trust as we rebuild our country. But whether you voted Labour or not, especially if you did not, I say to you directly — my government will serve you. Politics can be a force for good."

Starmer opened his speech by paying tribute to his predecessor, Rishi Sunak, as the UK's first British Asian Prime Minister.
"The extra effort that that would have required should not be underestimated by anyone."

Starmer was speaking after arriving in Downing Street from a meeting with King Charles at Buckingham Palace where he was invited to form a government.

After the speech, Starmer and wife Victoria posed before the famous front door of Number 10 Downing Street before being clapped into the hallway of the building by staff.

UK Labour leader Keir Starmer is officially prime minister after he received the blessing of King Charles III at Buckingham Palance.

The monarch invited Starmer to form a government in a ceremony known as the "kissing of hands." 

A photo of the occasion was the official announcement of Starmer's new title. Starmer headed to Downing Street immediately afterward.

Labour leader Keir Starmer has arrived at Buckingham Palace where he will head to a first-floor private audience room to meet King Charles.

For the initial part of the meeting, Starmer and the monarch will talk with no one else in the room, before they are joined by Starmer's wife Victoria.

By the time he emerges from the 775-room royal residence, the 61-year-old will be Britain's new prime minister.

Larry the Number 10 Downing Street cat was unfazed by the latest change in occupancy as he waited outside the famous black door.

The tabby, whose official title is Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, was adopted by the prime minister's office in 2011 at about the age of four.

Larry's official title is Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, and he has already shared the famous address with five UK prime ministers: David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.

He'll welcome his sixth prime minister, Keir Starmer, once formalities are concluded at Buckingham Palace. 

One unwelcome piece of news may be that, according to London's Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan, Starmer has promised a dog to one of his daughters.

A cat is believed to have been in residence in English government dating back to the reign of Henry VIII.

The cat that served longest at Number 10 is Peter III, who was chief mouser for more than 16 years under five different prime ministers: Clement Attlee, Winston Churchill, Anthony Eden, Harold Macmillan and Alec Douglas-Home.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered his congratulations to the incoming prime minister and offered his gratitude to Rishi Sunak for the UK's support to Ukraine's war effort.

"Congratulations to Keir Starmer and UK Labour on their convincing election victory. Ukraine and the United Kingdom have been and will continue to be reliable allies through thick and thin," Zelenskyy said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, and added "We will continue to defend and advance our common values of life, freedom, and a rules-based international order."

Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to Sunak for the support he had given during his time in office.

"I am grateful to my good friend Rishi Sunak  for the UK government's steadfast support under his leadership. Challenger tanks, Storm Shadow missiles, F-16 training for our pilots, and the first bilateral security cooperation agreement are just a few of our shared achievements that Ukraine will never forget. Thank you, Rishi," Zelenskyy said.

Rishi Sunak has left Buckingham Palace and is no longer prime minister, with King Charles set to appoint his successor, Keir Starmer, shortly.

The biography on Sunak's account on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, already says "Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom."

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris has passed on his congratulations to Keir Starmer for a "comprehensive victory" and said he looked forward to a reset in relations strained by Brexit tensions in recent years.

"I congratulate him and his candidates and I look forward to working together as close neighbors and friends."

"The relationship between Ireland and the UK is deeply consequential for all people across these islands. The relationship between a Taoiseach and a Prime Minister is vital."

"It is time for a great reset. This morning from Dublin, I want to send a message to London that I will match Keir Starmer's commitment and energy to our peace process and to our future potential in so many areas."

The UK Labour Party is also celebrating a reversal in its fortunes in Scotland, which has seen almost a decade of dominance for the Scottish National Party (SNP). 

Labour took a majority of Westminster seats in the country sweeping the SNP away across the country's central belt around Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Speaking to journalists, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said he was "absolutely delighted" and thanked Scots for "putting their faith and trust in the Scottish Labour Party."

"I understand their desire for change, I know there'll be a huge sigh of relief that we finally ended 14 years of total chaos and failure," he said.

Meanwhile, Scotland's SNP First Minister John Swinney pledged a period of "soul searching" after what he described as a "very poor" performance.

Outgoing British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has spoken in front of Number 10 Downing Street, announcing his resignation as prime minister.

"I will shortly be seeing His Majesty the King to offer my resignation as prime minister. To the country, I would like to say, first and foremost, I am sorry. I have given this job my all, but you have sent a clear signal that the government of the United Kingdom must change, and yours is the only judgment that matters."

"I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss."

"Following this result, I will step down as party leader, not immediately but once the formal arrangements for selecting my successor are in place."

"It is important that after 14 years in government, the Conservative Party rebuilds but also that it takes up its crucial role in opposition professionally and effectively."

Sunak said he had left the country in a better place than when he took office, with inflation "back to target," mortgage rates falling, and the nation seeing a return to growth.

"We have enhanced our standing in the world, building relations with allies, leading global efforts to support Ukraine, and becoming the home of a new generation of transformative technologies."

Sunak said the union between the nations of the United Kingdom was now stronger, pointing in particular to achievements in Northern Ireland — the return of devolved government and the Windsor Framework on customs arrangements with the European Union.

"I'm proud of those achievements. I believe this country is safer, stronger, and more secure than it was 20 months ago."

"Whilst he has been my political opponent, Sir Keir Starmer will shortly become our prime minister. In this job, his successes will be all our successes and I wish him and his family well.

"Whatever our disagreements in this campaign, he is a decent public-spirited man, who I respect."

Another historic outcome from the UK general election saw Irish nationalists Sinn Fein become Northern Ireland's largest party in the British parliament for the first time. 

The former political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) held onto seven of Northern Ireland's 18 seats in London, despite the party's long-standing policy of not attending the Westminister parliament.

The party capitalized on a poor election showing for its main unionist rival to reach another milestone in its efforts to end British rule.

Sinn Fein overtook the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which saw lawmaker Ian Paisley Jr., the son of former Northern Ireland First Minister and party founder Ian Paisley, lose his seat. Paisley lost his seat to Jim Allister, leader the far smaller Traditional Unionist Voice party.

Together, the Paisley family held the North Antrim seat for more than 50 years. The DUP, which had eight Westminister seats, now has five.

In 2022, Sinn Fein became the first nationalist party to win the most seats at Northern Ireland's regional assembly.

Leaders from UK Commonwealth countries have been among the first to congratulate incoming Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Labour Party.

Australia's Labour Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he was looking forward to working with Labour leader Keir Starmer and deputy leader Angela Rayner.

"We have a strong relationship between our two countries, but in Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner and so many others who I am very familiar with in the British Labour Party, I look forward very much to working with them. They have very similar views to us on a range of issues."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Starmer via X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

"Congratulations, Keir Starmer, on a historic UK election victory. Lots of work ahead to build a more progressive, fair future for people on both sides of the Atlantic. Let's get to it, my friend."

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon welcomed Starmer and thanked outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Outgoing Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt has left Downing Street where, as Britain's finance minister, he had his official residence.

Hunt left in a people carrier along with his family and Golden Labrador, Poppy. His Godalming seat in Surrey was among those being targeted by the centrist Liberal Democrats.

However, the former health minister bucked the trend of top Conservative names losing their seats after voters elected him with a narrow majority of 891.

Voter participation in the UK's general election could be the lowest in over 20 years.

With 630 out of 650 seats counted turnout was registered at 59.8%.

In 2019's general election, 67.3% of those eligible to vote did so.

Turnout stayed above 70% in every post-World War II election until 2001, when it dropped to 59.4%.